Nevada gets money for environment

Wednesday, July 5, 2000 | 10:57 a.m.

Standing at the edge of the Las Vegas Wash, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt today announced the first $28 million available for buying environmentally sensitive private property from willing sellers.

Under a 1998 act of Congress -- the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act -- Nevada has the unique ability to keep federal funds obtained from public land sales within its borders to protect environmental treasures such as the wash and Spring Mountains, Babbitt said.

Another $5.5 million will be spent on improvements on the land, including construction of a trailhead for the Desert Wetlands Park in the wash.

"I'm glad to be a part of this common-sense partnership between Clark County and the BLM," Babbitt said in prepared remarks. "The act is a credit to Nevada's congressional delegation and will assist the Interior Department to protect and conserve environmentally sensitive lands while allowing Clark County the opportunity to better manage its growth."

About $3.7 million will be directed to Clark County to buy the land in the wash, and another $24.3 million will be spent by federal agencies to buy acreage in the Spring Mountains, along the Virgin River, in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge near Moapa Valley and in other parts of Nevada.

Longtime environmental activist Lois Sagel, who has battled to save islands of wilderness in the middle of urban sprawl, hailed the announcement.

"It is a long time coming," Sagel said. "This was the goal we had way back. It seems like a zillion years ago."

Sagel noted that Southern Nevada's sensitive acres were often overlooked in favor of the Florida Everglades or parcels in Northern Nevada. "Southern Nevada has always been a stepchild to other areas," she said. "This is a great start."

Nevada officials beamed at the announcement to protect parcels of wild lands in the wash and near Mount Charleston.

"This is really a historic moment," Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said Monday. Bryan, author of the bill that provided the money, and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., a co-sponsor, were on hand for the announcement.

Bryan said the money could set a national model for critical lands threatened by urban development.

Reid agreed. "The Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead are both the victims of Southern Nevada's rapid growth," he said. "Restoring wetlands in the area will help stop erosion and will act as a natural filter to stop harmful pollutants from entering the lake, which supplies the valley's drinking water needs."

Both senators emphasized that lands left as wilderness offer future residents an opportunity to enjoy nature.

County Commissioner Dario Herrera said that this was the second time Babbitt had visited the Las Vegas Wash to make a major announcement.

"Anytime the secretary of Interior takes the time out of his schedule to make a landmark announcement, it can only benefit the citizens of Las Vegas," Herrera said. "It really reflects on the tremendous effort our congressional delegation has taken to meet the growing demands of the Las Vegas Valley."

However, Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., urged Babbitt to ensure that the public is included on any decisions to buy private lands in Nevada.

"I agree with the secretary that we need to protect and preserve Nevada's most pristine and environmentally sensitive areas," Gibbons said. "However, Nevadans cannot afford to be left out of this public lands debate when their livelihoods are at stake."

Gibbons and Reid have introduced similar legislation in the House and Senate to bring disposal of public lands in Nevada not included in the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act under local land use plans. It would give rural areas more control over which lands to purchase.